Back catalogue: Minimal House/Tech House

Review: Andrew Macari's next offering comes on the small but already well-formed Vessel Recordings label and it delves into some super deep house sounds. 'U Hold Me Tight' is a shuffling, gently percussive number with swaying drums and the sort of groove to lock you in. 'Don't Make Me Wait' is a slower groove with drums that drag their heels in an intriguing way then 'Hana's Jazz Cafe' gets more funky with some playful swing. 'Curiously' shuts down with a nice raw and dusty sound topped with some freaky vocals.

Review: Known in Tokyo's underground for filling her DJ sets with an enticing blend of house, new wave and disco, Mayurashka's Studio Barnhus debut is - as the label point out -full of sonic illusions: immediately accessible and enticing tracks which are nevertheless filled with quirky sonic details. There's plenty to admire throughout, from the breathlessly dark and driving peak-time jack of 'Cool Stop' and the lightly disco-infused peak-time tactility of 'Cosmic Rising', to the percussive, wildly pitched-down chug of 'Fatties' and the effects-laden, tribal house-on-the-moon insanity of 'Mountain Pads'. Throw in the low-slung dystopian dub disco madness of 'Appex' and you have a genuinely brilliant label debut.

Review: Maceo Plex has managed to pivot this alias from accessible house cuts with creamy basslines into a far more interesting project that explores astral techno with a range of different influences from sci-fi to wave to the sounds of the 80s. That has never been better exemplified than on '93, his expansive album on his Lone Romantic label. It features emo-anthems like 'Revision', disco-techno stompers like 'Go Back' and chunky robot-tech like 'All Night'. Plenty of guests from Mystic Bill to label mate AVNU Jane's Addiction frontman and alternative music legend Perry Farrell all help add a wide world of sound to the electronic core.

Review: Portuguese house wizard Joao Manata, who goes by the name of Manata, steps up here with his first solo release on the Nugs On Board vinyl-only label, and in the process marks five successful years. Manata has become a prominent name in Portugal's underground scene and so has naturally also expanded out to now perform extensively across Europe. His debut LP features nine tracks with each telling a unique story. The title track transports you to the nostalgic roots of electronic music with its catchy old-school synths and captivating vocals. Other standouts include the deep and pulsating electronic drums of 'Unforgettable Bonanza', outlier acid tech of 'Fastest Plane On Earth' and serene dub class of 'Flamingo Nights.' A quality album, for sure.

Review: Michael Mayer's fourth album, The Floor Is Lava, arrives after an eight-year wait, following his collaborative & album on !K7. Mayer's solo output has always been selective, with each release feeling like a significant moment. His previous albums, Mantasy and Touch, were similarly spaced out, but with good reason. As the head of Kompakt and Imara, a globe-trotting DJ, and a highly sought-after remixer, Mayer wears many hats, and it's no surprise his own productions are more sporadic. Yet, this also ensures quality. His name on a record sleeve signals music that's both forward-thinking and rooted in the past, deftly balancing the demands of the dancefloor and more reflective listening. The Floor Is Lava showcases Mayer's talent for threading together genres and eras while keeping a distinct sense of purpose. Whether it's designed for late-night clubs or a contemplative listen at home, Mayer's sound continues to evolve, pushing boundaries while remaining firmly anchored in his established style. As always, his knack for combining the exploratory with the functional shines through, and this latest offering is no exception.

Review: French multi-instrumentalist and producer Mezerg (real name Marc Mezergue) is something of a one-off - a synthesizer, drums and theremin-sporting one-man band who has even invented his own unique instrument, a combined keyboard/electronic drum kit known as the "piano boom boom". He's perhaps best-known as a live performer but has received plenty of plaudits for previous releases, most notably 2021 debut LP Chez Mezerg. Vol Retarde de 42 Mn is that album's belated sequel and sees the Frenchman develop his existing trademark sound - a musically mixed-up blend of classic synth sounds, analogue electronics, warm basslines and unfussy beats that variously draws influence from titans of French electronic dance music (Justice, Jean-Michel Jarre etc), electro and, most frequently, colourful nu-disco.